As a member of the King family and also the King Center board, I echo the concerns of my cousin Bernice King regarding her brothers’ efforts to sell their father’s Bible and Nobel Peace Prize. We appreciate your prayers for our family at this time.
May the love and faith of our ancestors reverberate as we seek the wisdom of God during these days of trials and tribulation as the entanglements that feed the controversies are resolved.
As the daughter of Rev. A.D. King and Naomi Barber King, I express genuine love and concern for all of Uncle M.L.’s immediate living heirs—Martin, Bernice and Dexter. While I and my immediate family are not legally entitled to any benefits of the MLK estate—and indeed have never received proceeds from any sale or transactions regarding such—I can still sympathize with Bernice’s concerns regarding her parents’ legacy.
As CEO of the King Center, Bernice is working hard to preserve the legacy of peace and nonviolence established during her parents’ lifetimes. Her now legendary 100 Days of Nonviolence, No Shots Fired and Let Freedom Ring bell ceremonies, along with the youth motivational “Be a King” crusades broadcast the spirit of agape love, peace and unity she has inherited from her parents.
Bernice is on a mission to uplift the human race. She seeks to unite using agape love as a key to the gates of jubilee.
This is why my heart breaks as she shares her dilemma with the world.
“Some actions are sacrilegious and some things are not for sale no matter the circumstances, including my daddy’s Bible and Nobel Peace Prize medal,” she says. “Both are tangible evidence of the faith and devotion of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Parting with this priceless memorabilia should not be an option.”
In 2012, when President Obama laid his hand on my Uncle M.L.’s Bible and took his oath for his second term as U.S. president, I had mixed emotions. While I should have been proud to see what should have been progress for race relations, I was dismayed, knowing that he would further advance his support for Planned Parenthood and the war against holy matrimony.
Added to my concerns regarding the Bible are those surrounding Uncle M.L.’s prizes. Planned Parenthood has already tried to co-opt the MLK legacy to promote abortion and carcinogenic fertility blockers by targeting MLK with a Sanger Award. Who knows what they might try if they or their proponents get their hands on the MLK heirlooms?
First there was the political jockeying with the Bible. Now to be forced to wonder what new fate King’s Bible and prize might face, to wonder what agenda these cherished heirlooms will be used to promote—this is a cruel burden for Bernice and indeed many to bear.
By a two-to-one vote, the brothers seek to silence a sister’s voice. The process seems democratic, and yet her voice should count. Why was the court action demanding her compliance sealed? Truth crushed to earth must surely rise again.
Alveda C. King is the daughter of the late civil-rights activist the Rev. A.D. King and niece of Martin Luther King Jr. She is also a civil rights and pro-life activist, as well as director of the African-American outreach for Priests for Life. Click here to visit her blog.
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